LIVERMORE – SAD 36 directors are sending send three referendum questions to voters on Nov. 8. They’re seeking more than $1.1 million for construction projects at the high school and concept approval for a performing arts center.
The board is seeking authorization to pursue state funding for the projects. Another vote would be needed to spend the money if funding is received.
Directors voted Thursday to send the proposals to voters.
“What voters really need to understand is this proposal will not require any more local money than we are already spending today,” Director Fred Nadeau, chairman of the Buildings and Grounds Committee, said Friday.
The district continues to make payments on the new elementary school that cost about $3.1 million in 1999, and the debt service payments decrease each year, he said. Instead of decreasing the debt service payment, the district would use that money to cover the costs of the construction projects, he said.
The board wants to do structural, roof and side-wall renovations at the high school. The roof and curtain wall fascia project has an anticipated cost of $722,500. It includes major internal classroom renovations and is expected to increase energy efficiency, Superintendent Terry Despres said Thursday.
The side walls of the high school are not insulated, Nadeau said. The walls of the building are half glass and half panels, he said.
With state approval, the bond would be interest-free for the district with the state picking up the interest cost and 68.41 percent of the project. The local portion would be 31.59 percent.
This would require local spending of $228,238 over a 10-year period, with bond payments of $22,823.78 each year.
Directors also seek to renovate the high school by putting two 1,250-foot additions onto the building.
One addition would go on the front of the building where the front offices are now located and, combined with the existing office space, it would create a new 3,000-square-foot media center.
The second 1,250-square-foot addition would be added to the back of the building facing the football field, and use some of the hall space adjacent to the gymnasium to make a front office complex of about 2,000 square feet. The addition would house the offices of the principal, guidance department and school nurse. The main entrance to the building would be changed to that area. In addition, the entry foyer would be renovated with new public restrooms for the gymnasium area.
The anticipated costs of these additions and renovations are currently at $387,500. That sum would be raised through interest-free loans to the district, with the state paying interest and 68.41 percent of the project and the district paying 31.59 percent. This would require $122,412 spread over 10 years, with bond payments of $12,241 each year.
The last question on the Nov. 8 warrant, seeks concept approval on pursuing funds for a performing arts center. Despres is waiting for cost estimates on the project. Under the current formula, the district would receive about $620,000 in state funding for the project.
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